Friday, December 29

🗣 Want to get in front 14,000 DTC Brands? Start here…

🚨 In today’s newsletter 🚨

• 12 payments experts share how AI changed everything in 2023

• Simple influencer strategy for your ecommerce business

• Trends shaping the future of ecommerce

Let’s get into it👇

#1 - 💳 12 payments experts share how AI changed everything in 2023

📰 TL;DR - Artificial intelligence reached an inflection point in transforming payments in 2023. With innovative offerings increasingly populating the marketplace, many firms feel stuck using legacy solutions with limited optionality. Sticking to the old ways could harm them. Payments experts told PYMNTS this year that regarding AI capabilities for enhancing payments, the question is “How” and the answer is “Now.”

While historically lacking data depth for analysis, AI now allows smarter and faster payment insights. First AI avenues scoring immediate impact: streamlining manual processes like AR/AP, cash flow forecasting, credit scoring, fraud and compliance. But proper frameworks around compliance and governance are still needed before rushing full speed into AI.

💡 Insight - The hype around AI and payments feels very futuristic, but there are practical applications available right now. Instant payout capabilities enabled by AI can provide an immediate competitive edge while more advanced generative AI still develops.

Quick wins like streamlining expenses or offering flexible installment plans at checkout demonstrate AI's value and build confidence to eventually implement more cutting-edge innovations. Start with the low-hanging fruit AI solutions that delight users today, as that builds the data and trust needed for bolder innovations tomorrow. You know what customers want, so implement it - convenience and speed sell.

➡️ You can read the article here...

 #2 - 🎨 Game Changer: Chat service for Graphic Design

Ever needed one-off designs? I’ve used fiverr and upwork previously but came across a new service that saved me so much time and delivered top quality designs called Delesign Chat.

What is it?

It’s a chat system that connects you to an experienced graphic designer in seconds. You can straight away start describing what you need.

How is it better than fiverr or upwork?

• QUALITY: The designers are already vetted and experienced.
  

• SPEED: No need to wait for freelancers to respond or deliver. Got my output in less than a day.
  

• HASSLE FREE: Didn’t need to waste time looking through portfolios.
  

• NO LOGIN FORMS: There is zero friction, no sign up process. You can literally start your project in the next 5 seconds.

For DTC readers, you can use the code DC20 to get 20% off your first project.

Click here to try it out

#3 - 🛍️ Simple influencer strategy for your ecommerce business

📰 TL;DR - Small businesses know the power of influencer marketing, but harnessing it can seem daunting. This article unpacks a simple yet effective influencer strategy for fledgling brands. The key is authenticity - truly connecting creators with products they love. This removes the need to shell out for celebrity sponsorships. Instead, micro-influencers who adore your product can draw engaged crowds organically.

For example, Get Into The Limelight has used this approach to great success. They snag quarterly deals with top affiliates who earn commission while posting exclusively about them. Though risky, the calculated partnerships have doubled yearly revenue. In 2024, they want to grow through even more collaborations with influencers they admire. Ultimately, it's about investing time and money into what works.

💡 Insight - With the rise of social media, influencer marketing has become an incredibly powerful tool for brands looking to authentically connect with target audiences. But simply throwing money at the biggest names can easily backfire if the partnership feels disingenuous. The key is taking a strategic approach to find creators that genuinely love your product and organically fit your brand.

Consider building long-term affiliate relationships through consistent sponsored posts with micro and mid-tier influencers. Not only can these prove more cost-effective, but their real passion for your company will shine through to their engaged followers. And don't be afraid to take risks with new influencer initiatives - with careful testing, a calculated investment could pay dividends in exponential brand growth. By doubling down on what works rather than getting distracted by new gimmicks, your influencer strategy can skyrocket engagement and sales.

➡️ You can read the article here...

📣 Want to get in front of 14,000 DTC Brands? Start here… 

#4 - 🛠️ Things worth checking out

😎 AI - The top 7 people in artificial-intelligence e-commerce

🛠️ TOOLS - How ecommerce is harnessing the power of AI-SaaS integration

🎨 PREDICTION - What to expect of the ecommerce industry in 2024

💵 PAYMENT- 84% of consumers like pay-by-bank despite adoption hurdles

📈 STOCKS - Should you buy Amazon stock in 2024?

#5 - 🔮 Trends shaping the future of ecommerce

📰 TL;DR - I know we're all excited about the latest ecommerce innovations, but have you thought about the future trends on the horizon? This article explores eight predictions shaping the evolution of online shopping. For example, did you know mobile commerce sales could reach $3.4 trillion by 2027? And 50% of shoppers want personalized product recommendations powered by AI?

Also interesting - voice assistants may become our shopping buddies for simple reorders, and VR could let us "try on" clothing virtually. The key is that brands need to keep pace with new tech and ever-changing consumer expectations to stay competitive. For instance, m-commerce platforms must provide seamless mobile experiences, and transparency around sustainability and data will be non-negotiable. While the future of e-commerce looks bright, businesses should focus on understanding emerging trends to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

💡 Insight - Mobile commerce continues its meteoric rise, with statista predicting it could hit $3.4 trillion globally by 2027. This creates huge opportunities for brands to optimize for mobile shopping experiences.

Consider an app or mobile site redesign to leverage features like AI product recommendations, AR/VR previews, voice assistants, and social commerce integrations. The future mobile shopper wants speed, personalization and a values-based experience. Meet them where they are - on their phones - by getting the mobile platform right.

➡️ You can read the article here...